Insulated metal window closure



W. P. KESSLER INSULATED METAL WINDOW CLOSURE Oct. 13, 1953 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed May 27, 1950 IlIIlII/IIIIIIIIIIII/4 W. P. KESSLER INSULATED METAL WINDOW CLOSURE Oct. 13, 1953 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May 2'7, 1950 Patented Oct. 13, 1953 INSULATED METAL WINDOW CLOSURE Ward P. Kessler, near Bristol, 1nd,, assignor to Victor M. Langsett, Chicago, 111., as trustee Application May 27, 1950, Serial No. 164,643

7 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in the construction and insulation of metal window closures, particularly in connection with metal window sash and frames used in buildings. While the metal window frames, sash frames and mullions are preferably made of aluminum or other metal alloy sections by extrusion, it is readily apparent that any formed metal material may be used.

Due to the high heat conduction properties of metals, and the usual heat differential between the inside and outside atmospheres and associated with a building, a rapid heat transfer takes place through the metal sash and frames. When the outside temperature is low, this results not only in a substantial and rapid loss of heat units which are wasted to the outside atmosphere, but conversely, in warm weather, the inside heat balance, particularly if air conditioning and cooling is employed, is adversely affected. The reduction of this heat transfer by using the low heat conducting properties of non-metallic or insulating materials in association with the metal sections, results in substantial economies. Fur thermore, in cold weather, due to such rapid heat transfer, the water vapor within the building tends to condense on the cold surfaces of the metal window frame and sash, often damaging the decorations and fostering corrosion, and frequently presenting a local problem of absorption or collection of the condensate.

An object of my invention is to utilize the durability and low maintenance cost of metal window frames and sash and yet insulate the members by interposing a material of low heat conductivity, breaking the metallic continuity of the metal members between the exterior and interior surfaces of the window closure and thereby substantially reducing the heat transfer.

Another object of my invention is to provide a structure, insulated, yet readily adaptable to the use of double glazing or glass block panels, at a reasonable cost due to the saving in the metal materials employed,

A further object is to provide sturdy insulating members in combination with the metallic members forming the window closure to give support to the structure and increase its ability to withstand varying atmospheric pressures.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following speciflcation and the accompanying drawings, wherein a preferred embodiment of the invention has been shown and described.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a front view of a window closure, with the upper sash fixed and the lower sash projecting.

Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of Figure l on the line 2-2.

Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the use of a mullion in a larger window opening.

Figure 4 is a fragmental view, partly in crosssection, of a portion of a sash, emphasizing the features of my invention.

While I have shown an inwardly projecting sash, my structure is readily adaptable to other forms of sash, such as fixed, double hung, outwardly projecting, pivoted and many others in common usage.

Similar numerals refer to similar throughout the several views.

Referring to Figures 1, 2 and 4 of the drawings, Figure 1 shows a window opening I0, which is designated generally, and closure including horizontal and vertical frame members It, abutting the periphery of said opening and supporting a sash designated generally as I2. It is obvious that the size and general shape of the window closure will conform with the window opening. As illustrated, the window closure is rectangular and the vertical height exceeds the horizontal width. The sash I2 is divided into divisions l3, I4 and I5, divisions l3 and I4 being fixed and division I 5 projectable inwardly on the pivots l6, IS. The sash l2 has two vertical rails l1 and [8, a horizontal cross-rail [9 at the top, and the horizontal cross muntins 20 and 2|, the lower muntin 2i being inclined on a plane downwardly toward the exterior of the closure to facilitate the operation of the projecting division 15. The projecting division I5 has two side rails 22 and 23 and the upper and lower cross-rails 24 and 25, respectively, the cross-rail 24 being inclined on a plane downwardly toward the exterior of the closure to facilitate clearance of the cross muntin 2| when the division [5 is projected inwardly. Double glazed insulated units 26, 26, 26, sealed in putty 2T, 21, are retained in position. in the sections l3, l4 and I5 by the glazing strips 28, 28 fastened to the said vertical and cross-rails and muntins by any suitable means, and as illustrated, by means of the seating of the obtrusions 29, 29 in the recesses 30, 30 and the screws 3!, 3! engaging the insulating material 43. Weatherstripping 32, 32 is used in the division I5.

In the window closure described above, the said frame members, rails and muntins are constructed in accordance with my invention, which is clearly shown in Figures 2 and 4.

parts Referring to Figure 4, which is a fragmentary view of a portion of a vertical rail and joined horizontal rail shown in cross-section of the sash, I, in effect, divide the metal members of the window closure centrally and then support the divided members with a substantially non-flexible insulating material, forming an integral unit.

As illustrated, the lower rail, designated generally as 33', consists of two metal sections 34 and 35, which are similar or identical in construction. Referring to section 34, it consists of a channel shaped, substantially rectangular in cross-section, extruded aluminum member, said channel being designated generally as 36. The recesses 30, 35, extend the length of the section, one on each opposite side, set back from the face 52 of the section 34, and adapted to receive the obtrusion 29 on the glazing strip 28. The legs 31 and 38 forming the parallel walls of the channel 36 are inturned at their ends as at 39 and 40, respectively, for the purpose of engaging channels in the insulating material hereinafter described, facilitating the union of said material and said sections; The inner surfaces of the legs 31 and 38 are corrugated, as at 4| and 42 respectively,- for the purpose of saving material and also giving strength to the legs. It is obvious that my invention may be practicedwithout such corrugations or inturned legs, the section 34 beingv fastened to the insulating material by any suitable means. The metallic sections 34 and 35, which are similar or identical, are supported by and fastened to a connecting substantially nonflexibleinsulating material 43, by superimposing or slidably engaging the channeled sections 34 and respectively, on the insulating material 43, the inturned legv 39 engaging the channel 45 and the inturned leg 40 engaging the channel 44, respectively, in the insulating member 43, so that a continuous separation intervenes between the two sections 34 and 35. As illustrated, this material 43 consists of a laminated wood member, weather-treated, of substantially rectangular cross-section. Its width and thickness should be sufficient to adequately support the weight of the double glazed unit 26 without distortion. The thickness of the insulating member 43 approximates the width of the channel 36 so that the internal surfaces surrounding channel 36 fit snugly over and against the adjoining external surfaces of the member 43, preventing play or movement between the two members 43 and 34. Additional strengthening and securing of the members is accomplished by means of the glazing strip 28 which is fastened to the rail 33 with the assistance of screws 3|, 3|, passing through said strip 28' and the leg 31 in the section 34, engaging the member 43. The construction of. the section 34 applies to section 35, the sections and manner of attaching to the member 43, being the same or similar, and the glazing strips may be used on both sides of the sections 34 and 35, in the event the member 33 is used as a muntin o-r mullion with glazing on both sides. The screws 3|, 3| may be placed at any desired distance from each other. The double glazed unit 26 is well-known, having the insulating space 45 between the two panes of glass. By combining the metal sections 34 and 35 with the member 43, as described above, the metal sections are separated completely from each other, yet to external appearances the closure is metal, the member 43 being concealed in the construction as illustrated, and is not exposed to external Weather conditions. While I have used laminated wood for the member 43, it is obvious that any material, preferably non-metallic to secure low heat conduction, possessing characteristics of strength and permanence, may be used. If glass block is used instead of the double glazing unit 26, the space between the inturned legs of the members 34 and 35 must be sufficient to accommodate such block, and accordingly, will require the members 34, 35' and 43 to be of heavier construction in order to bear the increased weight and additional stress.

The wide adaptability of my construction is shown in Figure 2, where the combination of sections 34 and 35 with the member 43, forming the rail 33 as shown in Figure 4, is used in the horizontal frame member II, the horizontal crossrail H), the horizontal cross-muntin 20, the lower cross-rail 25, the lower horizontal frame member II, the vertical frame member II and vertical rails l1 and I8, with similar construction conforming to the plane of inclination, in the crossmunti'n 2 and cross-rail 24, The combined sec tions and member comprising the rail 33 can be adapted touse requirements and as shown in Figure 2, in the closure Hi, the upper horizontal frame member H and horizontal cross-rail l9 are held in position in relation to the abutting win-- dow wall 53 by means of the screw 46, and. similarly, the lower horizontal frame member H isfixed to the adjacent window W811 54, by means of the screw 41, any exposed openings being. calked as at- 48, 4-8. A window seat or sill is shown at 49.

Figure 3 shows the adaptation of my invention in the closure of a larger window opening, using a mullion 50, consisting of two rails 33, fastened together, as by the" screw 5| passing through one rail into the other.

It is obvious that single glazing could be used in the sash, but such use would naturally reduce the" insulating effect of the closure as a whole, without regard to my invention.

Also, whileI have used extruded aluminum sections in practice, such sections may be made of other formed metals or metal alloys. While I have described. the material or member 43 and the sections 34 and 35 relative to their cross-section, it is understood that such member and sections extend longitudinally throughout the length of the respective frame members, sash rails, muntins or mullions of the window closure, resulting in a complete break in the metallic continuity between the interior and exterior metallic sections of the closure, thereby preventing the transmission of heat through a metallic circuit from one surface of the closure to the other. Furthermore, the channels 36, 35, in the sections 34, 35, should be deep enough to give firm support to the sections when superimposed, lengthwise, over said member 43, which should preferably fill said entire channels. The horizontal width of the member 43 is determined by the thickness of the glazing, the spacing between the said metallic sections being no greater than necessary to accommodate said glazing and putty seal.

While I have shown and described herein, for illustrative purposes, a preferred embodiment of the invention and method of practicing it, it should be understood that considerable variation in the details of construction may be employed and the method varied, without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, as set forth in the following claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a metal window closure structure, a main frame and sash, both said frame and sash having vertical and horizontal members, said members comprising an outer rigid metallic section, channel shaped in transverse cross-section, for exposure to the outside atmosphere, an inner rigid metallic section, channel shaped in transverse cross-section, for exposure to an atmosphere inwardly of the window, and a rigid heat insulating element comprising a sheet portion of laminated wood, having its opposite lateral margins disposed in the channels of said inner and outer sections, the channel legs of said sections being secured directly upon said element which supports said sections in spaced apart relationship to each other throughout their length.

2. An insulated metal window closure comprising a main frame; sash, both said main frame and sash having vertical and horizontal members, each of said members comprising an outer rigid metallic section, channel shaped in transverse cross-section, for exposure to the outside atmosphere, an inner rigid metallic section, channel shaped in transverse cross-section, for exposure to an atmosphere inwardly of the window, and a rigid non-metallic heat insulating element having its opposite lateral margins disposed in the channels of said inner and outer sections, th channel legs of said section being secured directly upon said element which supports said sections in spaced apart relationship to each other throughout their length; glazing means including glass sheets, and means, including glazing strips, for retaining said glass in position between the adjacent margins of said opposite non-contacting sections.

3. In a window structure, an outer rigid metallic member, channel shaped in transverse cross-section, for exposure to the outside atmosphere, an inner rigid metallic member, channel shaped in transverse cross-section, for exposure to an atmosphere inwardly of the window, and a rigid non-metallic element of low heat conductivity having its opposite lateral margins slidably disposed in the channels of said inner and outer members, which members are supported in spaced apart relationship by said element, a distance substantially the thickness of a glazing means disposed therebetween and which members surround and conceal said element to the outer limits of said spaced apart portion thereof, breaking thermal contact through a metallic circuit between said members.

4. In a window structure, an outer rigid metallic section, channel shaped in transverse crosssection, for exposure to the outside atmosphere, an inner rigid metallic section, channel shaped in transverse cross section and spaced continuously out of contact with said outer section, for exposure to an atmosphere inwardly of the window; and a rigid non-metallic element of low heat conductivity having its opposite lateral margins disposed in the channels of said inner and outer sections, the channel legs of said sections being secured rigidly and directly upon said element, said sections and element thereby forming an assembled rigid and unyielding structure.

5. A window structure member comprising the combination of metallic sections, identical and channel-shaped in transverse cross-section, the leg portions of said sections forming the parallel side walls of said channels being corrugated upon their inner surfaces and having their ends inturned conforming to the contours of receptive channels in an insulating member on which said sections are imposed embracing opposite portions thereof; and a rigid insulating member comprising a non-metallic integral material of low heat conductivity, having continuous parallel channels in opposite sides thereof adapted to receive and conform to said inturned ends of said leg portions and which insulating member is disposed in the channels of said sections, one of said sections for exposure to the outside atmosphere engaging continuously the outer marginal side of said insulating member, the exterior surfaces thereof in close contact with the interior surfaces surrounding said section channel and said inturned leg ends seated in said channels in opposite sides of said insulating member, in continuous spaced apart relationship to another said section for exposure to an atmosphere inwardly of said window, similarly mounted upon the opposite inner marginal side of said insulating member, said insulating member continuously breaking the thermal contact between said metallic sections.

6. In a window structure, an outer rigid metallic member, channel shaped in transverse cross section, for exposure to the outside atmosphere; an inner rigid metallic member, channel shaped in transverse cross-section, spaced out of contact throughout its length with said first member and for exposure to an atmosphere inwardly of the window; and a. rigid heat insulating element comprising a sheet portion of laminated wood, having its opposite lateral margins disposed in the channels of said inner and outer members, the channel legs of said members being secured rigidly and directly upon said element, said members and element thereby forming an assembled rigid structure.

7. An insulated metal window structure comprising rigid non-metallic integral insulating members, rectangular in cross-section; separate metallic sections, channel shaped in transverse cross-section, one of said sections for exposure to the outside atmosphere, being imposed upon and supported throughout its length by the outer marginal side of each of said insulating members and another of said sections for exposure to an atmosphere inwardly of the window, being imposed upon and supported throughout its length by the opposite inner marginal side of each of said insulating members, said sections so imposed without contacting each other, surrounding said insulating members, in spaced apart relationship throughout said window structure; double glass glazing means supported in said structure between opposite metal sections; and means for assembling and retaining said members and sections in position.

WARD P. KESSLER.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 598,827 Tracy Feb. 8, 1898 1,042,644 Budd Oct. 29, 1912 ,083,865 Sloss Jan. 6, 1914 1,832,847 Lane Nov. 24, 1931 1,920,007 Durant et al. July 25, 1933 2,121,512 Shields June 21, 1938 2,174,441 Gustafsson Sept. 26, 1939 2,354,341 Verhagen July 25, 1944 

